BOSTON (WHDH) - The Mass Pike has begun all electronic tolling, and the demolition of the old toll booths is underway.
As of 6 a.m., traffic is not heavy on the Pike, and may even be lighter than typical days.
The light traffic follows warnings of heavy traffic from officials, though cars will likely be backed up later this morning. State police asked drivers to navigate safely and slowly near demolition areas, and if possible, avoid them altogether.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done. There will be a lot of inconvenience. Anything that the driving public can do. Give us the road, let us do our job, we’re going to get you where you need to be safely,” said Thomas Tinlin, Massachusetts Highway Director.
The demolition is beginning in the western part of the state.
Twenty-three work zones are expected to back up traffic where the toll booths are being knocked down.
Monday morning will be the first weekday commute since that construction has started, and drivers will be funneled to outside lanes while inside lanes are being removed.
“We will have extra tow trucks, lots of patrols out there, lots of police presence, if someone breaks down we’ll have a great response to that,” said Major Terry Hanson, of the Massachusetts State Police.
Officials said it is expected they will finish the demolition by Christmas 2017.
The long-term benefit of this project is improved air quality, improved congestion and improved safety,” said Jeff Larason, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
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